BJP accuses Congress of having role in EVM hacking event; Sibal clarifies

“My visit during an event in London was a coincidence as I was in the country for personal reasons. Indian Journalists Association London President Ashish Ray told me he has sent invitations to all political parties including BJP and also Election Commission,” said Kapil Sibal. 

Shobhit Kalra
Published on: 22 Jan 2019 11:53 AM GMT
BJP accuses Congress of having role in EVM hacking event; Sibal clarifies
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BJP accuses Congress of having role in EVM hacking event; Sibal clarifies

New Delhi: Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Tuesday quashed the accusations against his party of sponsoring the event related to the possibility of hacking of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

“My visit during an event in London was a coincidence as I was in the country for personal reasons. Indian Journalists Association London President Ashish Ray told me he has sent invitations to all political parties including BJP and also Election Commission,” said Kapil Sibal.

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He further said, “He (Ashish Ray) sent me a personal e-mail also. I told him that I will be in London for some personal work & he insisted that I should come as they are going to make an important revelation. So I went."

It is to be mentioned that US-based self-claimed cyber expert Syed Shuja claimed that EVMs can be hacked through a transmitter and the technique was used during the Indian elections in the past.

Sibal’s presence in the event raised several questions and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party grabbed the opportunity and accused Congress of contacting Shuja for favor during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

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Central Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad questioned Congress leader Kapil Sibal’s presence at the London event on Monday where the expert made the sensational claim.

“What was Sibal doing there? We would like to know in what capacity was he present at the event. I believe he was there on behalf of the Congress party.”

“The entire event was a Congress sponsored conspiracy. They have started making excuses for their definite defeat in the coming Lok Sabha polls,” Prasad said.

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“The entire event was a Congress sponsored conspiracy. They have started making excuses for their definite defeat in the coming Lok Sabha polls,” Prasad added.

The Election Commission, however, has termed the allegations made by Shuja baseless and said that the institution is planning to go through a legal course against him.

Moreover, Prasad called it a false and deliberate agenda and said that it was an insult to the voters of India.

Prasad further questioned Congress and asked, “In 2014, the UPA was in power, not us. Where is the logic in accusing us of hacking the EVMs when we were not even in power?”

Shobhit Kalra

Shobhit Kalra

Writer has 10 years of experience in digital media. Presently working as Chief Sub Editor at newstrack.com. An avid reader and always willing to learn new things and techniques.

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